Artistic Inspiration at Sea…
You’ve heard of a ‘vacation’.
This summer some clever stores unveiled the ‘stay-cation’ (where you save $ and gas by staying home and fixing up your house instead of going on vacation)
I would like to introduce the ‘coma-cation’. That is where you go and become so relaxed that all you want to do is sleep for days. OK… so my ‘coma’ was somewhat medically induced — afraid of getting queasy on my cruise last week I took 1/2 a Bonine for motion sickness and was out cold by 8 pm. I almost feel asleep at my muster station but did rally for dinner. That was my trend the next 2 days… sleep, eat, nap, eat, see a show, sleep… it was heaven on water! Oh how I needed a break!
There is nothing better than a little R&R with the one you love! BTW… my main-squeezes name is Craig — it has been pointed out that I have been ‘protecting’ his identity — for good reason! He is so amazing I don’t want anyone trying to steal him away!
When I came out of my fog… I got my sea legs and didn’t take any medication after day 2… I found artistic inspiration in between reading, eating and napping.
I checked out the art and was able to study many different art techniques and styles at the art auctions. They even had a 1/2 hour ‘history of art’ that was pretty interesting.
Leslie Lew, one of the artists whose paintings were being auctioned off was on board and did a few live demonstrations. She does very textured art — “sculpted oils” she calls them. You can see more of her work on her website at: leslielew.com
And every night we had a new towel animal waiting for us in our cabin — talk about a piece of art! I of course bought the book that shows me how to make 75 different animals — it is harder than it seems. Those cabin stewards are quite talented to clean up the rooms and create these towel creations so quickly! Kudos to the towel art!
Anyway — I had a wonderfully relaxing time and found some inspiration at sea. I hope you have the chance to unwind, relax and look for new things to keep you inspired!
~ Tara
Upgrader Beware! (or at least PREPARE)
It was mid September and I was chatting with a friend, discussing our businesses and what we were each working on. She mentioned that she had ordered “Dragon Speak” software so she could dictate instead of type everything into her computer.
“Cool!” I said! “Does it work on a Mac?” I asked.
Of course the answer was no, but after some poking around, I discovered MacSpeech Dictate which is somehow related to this “Dragon Speak” and I started investigating.
The software seemed pretty cool. And would help my wrist — if you are at all like me, you may sometimes worry about tendonitis or eventual carpal tunnel syndrome because of all the painting, drawing and computer work. So being able to cut down on that would be good.
Reading on, I did discover that the software required the Leopard operating system for my computer. That meant an upgrade. It caused me to pause…
When upgrading software, especially the operating system of your computer be it Windows or Mac, there is always the potential that things that work great now, might not be so happy in the new environment.
Like moving to a new home, sometimes you just don’t anticipate all the issues and expenses.
Well… this has become a spendy proposition! I upgraded to Leopard, which several people (other than just Apple) assured me they liked. I got the MacSpeech Dictate which I’m happy with so far. (I’m using it to type this blog!)
Then the fun began and my money started flowing into the economy in ways I didn’t forsee.
All of the sudden, Photoshop@ CS2 kept freezing. I went online and discovered I had to upgrade to CS3. $600.
QuickBooks@ Pro 2005? Nope! Wouldn’t open. Had to upgrade. $160 (with a discount)
Scanner? Have to use a different interface — they aren’t making my big scanner anymore so not supporting upgrades. Can’t scan directly into Photoshop™ anymore. 
Of course I also had to download and install free upgrades for my Wacom tablet, filters I use and a few other things I’m forgetting at the moment…
Knock-on wood I think that’s all that I will have to change. But it also means learning the new ways of working in these programs too. That one program created quite the domino effect!
MY ADVICE FOR YOU:
Before you upgrade an operating system, make a list of ALL the software you use regularly.
Go online and check the compatibility of your current software with the new OS.
Make a list: what has upgrades to download and install for free? What will you need to buy?
With technology, it is a fact of life that you have to upgrade things every so often. I understand that. But it doesn’t mean it is as easy as they would like you to believe!
I’m sure I’ll be happy in the end– when I pay the bills and know how to use everything. But I wish I had gone into it knowing a little more about how much I’d have to spend, do and learn.
Hopefully this little blog will help you be better prepared the next time you upgrade!
~ Tara
If you are interested in dictation software, here are the links. They work pretty well but you do need to read and edit. And talk slowly, clearly, and “say” your punctuation.
FOR MACS: http://www.macspeech.com
FOR PCS: http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/
Color Tools for Artists
“Sit in reverie, and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
And unfortunately, when your art is created by hand, scanned into a computer, manipulated, sent to a manufacturer who often sends it to around the world and back… sometimes we watch our intended colors change like the seasons.
Not so good!
So what tools are available to we artists who choose to license our art? What do manufacturers expect us to have and understand?
A few years ago, I was on the phone with a client. “OK Tara, we’re going to use XYZ design and create product “A” so we need to get the textile pantone colors that you used in your art ASAP.”
Jinkies! That was a lot of stuff I didn’t understand! I asked a few questions and figured I’d search the internet and figure it out. To save you some time, here is what I have discovered and use regularly in my business.
Pantone. They are the color standard. http://pantone.com/
And they have about a bazillion different swatch guides and colors it’s enough to send you screaming from your studio in search of Calgon and a bathtub. (I know! I’m SO a victim of advertising!)
I don’t know all of their products but will give you a brief rundown on what I do know. Then give you links to go figure out more. Of course, this advice is all “my opinion” so don’t send your attorney after me if you disagree.
The first Patone Color Swatch book I got was what they now call the “Color Bridge”. It comes in “Coated” and “Uncoated” — which basically means it shows you what the color looks like when printed on a coated paper (like something glossy or with a finish) or uncoated — like a napkin or basic book page. It is called a “bridge” (I think) because it shows you the “true” Pantone ink as well as what the equivalent color would look like if changed to Process Color or CMYK. (The combination of 4 inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key or Black) In my experience, most products are printed in 3 or 4 color process (RGB or CMYK) – very rarely in pure Pantone inks. (due to the cost I imagine.) So I usually look at the right hand side when picking colors that coordinate with my artwork.
Each of these guides are $119 each online or buy the set for $179. They say you should replace them once a year since they will fade. I will tell you honestly that I haven’t done that, but I do store them in a drawer so they aren’t getting much light. Here is a link to the guides: and Color Bridge Set.
As you continue to license your work, you may be asked for “Textile Colors”. Manufacturers printing on fabric, yarns, rugs and even ceramic companies usually want this type of color reference.
You guessed it! More money coming out of your pocket. But the good news is that if they ask for this level of detail, usually you have the deal so money will be flowing back in as well.
Now, if you want to spend $4,200, you could invest in the actually cotton swatches and know EXACTLY what each color looks like. I DON’T RECOMMEND THIS! 
But knowing the price of cotton, you will feel much better when I tell you that the paper “Fashion and Home”guide that provides you with the required “TPX” colors and color names, will only cost $165.
Textile colors consist of a 6 digit number. (two numbers) – (four numbers)
The first 2 numbers refer to the lightness of the color — there are 9 levels — 11 thru 19. The lower the number, the closer to white or the lighter the color. The higher the number, the closer to black or the darker the color.
The next pair of numbers represents the hue – yellow, red, blue, etc. The hue circle, or color wheel, is divided into 64 sections.
The final pair of numbers describes the chroma level of the color. (huh?) If you want to understand that, head here: REAL TECHNICAL COLOR STUFF But you might be happy to know you don’t need to understand it. Just be able to put the swatches next to your art and decide which is closest to the color there. Then double check that your color recommendations look good together.
Finally, some lucky person at Pantone gets to come up with fun names for the Textile colors — I’d like that job, or the job of naming OPI nail polish colors — if “this art thing doesn’t work out” as I like to say in jest.
Those are the three Pantone Guides I have invested in and reference from time to time. I haven’t figured out the GOE or MUNKI thing yet.. but I’ll let you know if I do.
My final recommendation is that you become a member of Pantone (it’s free). There you will have access to articles about color, color trends, see color palettes other members are working with, etc. You can cross-reference colors between the different guides. BECOME A MEMBER
Have a colorful day!
~ Tara
P.S. Want to learn about “Colorstrology” and see what color coordinates with your birthday?
Visit www.colorstrology.com (This is mine- January 31st – anyone share that day with me?)
P.P.S. Have a Mac 10.4 or above? Go here for a colorstrology widget and see the color of the day automatically on your dashboard. WIDGET
Twitter eBook updated
Well wouldn’t it figure? A week after I create a little eBook to explain how to go about using Twitter, the great people at Twitter change the way it works.
Well, they were minor changes so I just rolled up my shirt sleeves and updated the changed sections.
To read all about what Twitter is and what it does, look at the last blog post. Click here
To get the fully updated and current edition (as of Sept 19, 2008) all you have to do is sign up for my Art Licensing Newsletter and the 17 page, image-packed eBook is yours. For free. Can’t beat free!
Click here, sign up, opt-in and unleash your inner social butterfly!
~ Tara
P.S. “Twitter”, the bird, and all screen shots are copyrights of Twitter and used to further the cause, not to harm or confuse it! I don’t know how I ever lived without you Twitter!
P.P.S. Do you already twitter? Let me know – follow me, I’ll follow you. artisttarareed
7 Ways finding Manufacturers is like Online Dating
Are you single?
Do you know someone who is?
Do you watch TV?
I have to imagine that most people know someone, even if it is themselves, who has tried online dating. I have – that could be a whole other book! Let me assure you, you’d laugh, you’d cry, your jaw would drop to the floor in astonishment. But I won’t go into details– it just explains how I came up with the following comparison.
There are some definite parallels to be drawn between finding love and manufacturers who license art online — and I’m just the girl to do it! Ready?
7 Ways finding Manufacturers To License Your Art is Like Online Dating
- Your thoughts wander to ways to find them during the day.
- You spend hours online looking for the perfect connection.
- You daydream about finding the perfect one,
and how they will make your life that much better
(not that it is bad now, it could just be better, right?) - When you find one you are interested in,
you send an email and then constantly check your email,
waiting for a response, that sometimes never comes. - When you do get a response, you get so excited at the potential
you can’t wait to tell someone all about it. - You play the ‘get to know each other’ game and determine if
this really is a mutually beneficial relationship. - You learn to keep a positive attitude and keep up the search, so
that you can continue to live the dream!
This is just a little fun, food for thought for now…
~ Tara
P.S. I’m working on an eBook about how to find and work with manufacturers — I’ll continue the whole “dating” analogy as it is making me laugh. If we can’t laugh — why bother? Stay tuned…
Color Psychology of PINK – more than just for sweet baby girls!
Hmm… I wonder why I chose to talk about pink next. If you don’t already know, I became the aunt of a beautiful little girl last week so I thought it was appropriate to continue our discussion of color with pink.
As you may have guessed, pink is often associated with females. Pink is also considered innocent, sweet, soft, youthful and cheerful. Often associated with baby girls, valentine’s and young love.
Due to its feminine and calming nature, you will see pink used in many spa, health care and cosmetic product logos.
In vivid values (like hot pink and fuschia) pink comes across more similarly to red — passionate, exciting, high energy.
So how do we as artists, use pink to our advantage?
Like Pavlov’s dog, people automatically react to colors. If you want to guide how someone feels about your art, understand the pyschology of color. Use it in a traditional way or buck the trend to grab attention.
Is this a baby girl or boy? At 2 days old, you can’t tell by looking at most babies. People use visual cues, like the color of the clothes, to figure it out. (This is, of course, my adorable new niece, Gillian!)
Pink would be an unusual choice if you are doing an art collection about dinosaurs, trucks or tools. People would expect blues, greens and browns with those themes. But you sure would grab their attention if you chose pink!
Have a sugar & spice & everything nice, super pink-y day!
~Tara
P.S. Of course in recent years, “THINK PINK” has come to be associated with battling breast cancer — I would guess they chose pink to represent both the feminine and healing connotations of the color. Support your favorite charity, walk, donate your art… get involved!
Diagnosis: artistic ADD
I’ve got and I’ve got it bad! 
Artistic ADD that is.
Have you heard of it?
Do you think you have it?
Are you starting to itch?
(If you’re starting to itch you’ve got other problems.)
Let’s start by taking a look at the symptoms.
- You have a creative mind and it’s always thinking. You see things in stores, on TV, or where ever you are, and you think “Hey! My art would look totally cool on that!”
- You’re regularly working on four different creative projects at once. They are generally unrelated. And many times these four, unrelated creative projects are being done at once because you can’t decide which one to do first.
- People often ask you, “When you sleep?”
- Your motto is “Why buy it if I can make it myself?”
I could go on and on with this list of symptoms but I think you get the idea.
Does any of this sound like you?
It certainly sounds like me! I used to have a severe case of artistic ADD, but now, most days anyway, I’m a little less frantic and a bit more productive. (Less of a “chicken holding a paintbrush with her head cut off” more of a “productive hamster spinning her wheel and working Photoshop™ as fast as it will go“… )
How did I shift from “Completely Crazed Creator” who-is-going-in-so-many-directions-that-I-was-doing-a-lot-but-not-a-lot-well? I’ve got one word for you so listen closely:
FOCUS
Yes, that’s right. I’m back on my “you need a plan” soapbox.
Perhaps one of your goals is to build an art licensing empire. Debbie Mumm™ did it. So did Mary Engelbreit and many, many more.
Do you think they woke up one day, said, “I think I’ll start licensing my art” and *poof* they had 50 contracts and their art on hundreds of different products?
No.
Each of these artists had a very specific focus in the beginning, and grew from there.
Debbie Mumm™ got her start creating quilting patterns which then led into her first license for fabric. Mary Engelbreit’s first product was greeting cards. I began designing scrapbooking products. (Not that I’m saying I’m in the same league as these ladies of course, I’m just making a point.)
If you are new to the idea of art licensing, when you look back 20 years from now, what do you want to say was your first product?
If you have a few things under your belt, what do you enjoy the most? What comes the easiest to you? What is adding the most to your bank account?
When you determine an initial product or product category, say crafts or gifts or greeting cards, what is a logical next step?
To determine a logical next step ask yourself where your art is already recognized.
I have a friend, Randy of Finkstrom Licensing, who does very well designing cards for veterinarians. If you 
have pets you know what I’m talking about: the little cards that say “It’s time for Fido’s next shot”. He’s doing very well with this, so I have to assume that if veterinarians saw another product with his art it would be a known entity and they would probably buy it. So products that he might look at next would include designs for scrubs or gifts and accessories for pets. (They have quite a cool line over at Finkstrom, you should check it out!)
So although I am sure that your art, like mine, is perfectly suited for just about any product out there, everyone needs to start with one step. And then another step.
So take a moment to look at where you are now, where you want to go, and what creative steps could be in between.
Have a creative day! ~ Tara
P. S. If you ever find yourself in your studio close to hyperventilating, because you have so many things you need or want to do, be sure to take three very deep breaths and drink lots of water. It always works for me!
You're on Twitter – Learn how to Get Started and Fly Right!
I’m all a-twitter about Twitter!
According to Twitter: Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
** UPDATED TO REFLECT TWITTER CHANGES MADE 9/17/08 **
It can be anything from “about to brush my teeth”, “had a ham sandwich for lunch”, “discovered this great new website – here is a link”.
And here’s a catch– you only have 140 characters per ‘tweet’. (A “tweet” is what they call your update or post)
While trying to explain Twitter to a friend the other day, I came up with a great analogy. Twitter is like a virtual office – with the people you follow being the workers in nearby cubicles.
If I were in a real office, I could walk to a nearby cubicle and ask, “ Hey, anybody know what font this is?” Since I work at home, I’d be talking to the wall.
But now that I have twitter, I can talk to anyone who is following me.
I have found Twitter to be a great source of information. My font question was real. One day I needed to figure a font to use in a book. I found one I liked but didn’t know what it was.
I Twittered my question, put a link to a sample of the font, and waited.
Within 10 minutes, one person told me the exact name of the font.
Another Twitter friend gave me a link to a website, where I could enter samples of any font and the site would tell me the font. What a great resource for the future!
With more and more people working from home, there is a growing need for ways to feel ‘connected’ and less isolated. Twitter does just that and more.
The TOP 3 reasons I like Twitter:
- Twitter is a great way to learn about what people are doing. Twitter helps you feel connected to others in your industry and life – regardless of physical location.
- By reading what others are doing and discovering, I too, find interesting websites that can help me with my business.
- By posting what I’m doing throughout the day, others can learn more about me personally and professionally. Twitter has led to joint venture opportunities, job opportunities and new customers.
Sounds pretty good, right?
But how does it work?
I will take you on a guided tour of Twitter, complete with lots of pictures!
(I’m an artist, I like to SEE what is going on!)
You will Learn the Six Steps to Becoming a Master Tweeter on Twitter
All you have to do is sign up for my Art Licensing Newsletter and the 17 page, image-packed eBook is yours. For free. Can’t beat free!
Click here, sign up, opt-in and unleash your inner social butterfly!
~ Tara
P.S. “Twitter”, the bird, and all screen shots are copyrights of Twitter and used to further the cause, not to harm or confuse it! I don’t know how I ever lived without you Twitter!
P.P.S. Do you already twitter? This is me: artisttarareed
Are you a social butterfly?
I must admit I was very resistant to social networking at first. I didn’t want to have a blog. I didn’t really understand how to use it and felt that I didn’t want to share too much personal information over the Internet.
In June I went to a workshop to learn more about Internet marketing. During the course of the three days there was a lot of talk about social networking and how it can help in any kind of business. Pat O’Brien and Craig Perrine who taught the class encouraged us to start blogs, to Twitter, join Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and more. They encouraged us to create videos on YouTube. These are all ways to connect with clients, colleagues and friends… and all for little or no cost.
Fast forward three months and I’ve changed from a meek caterpillar to a little social butterfly.
I have fully embraced Twitter and Facebook, as my main social networking sites. I blog regularly. (Obviously, since that is what you are reading!) I am learning more about LinkedIn and reconnecting with people I worked with 16 years ago — fun!
Social Networking can be used to make and foster both personal and business connections. It can help you learn and grow. And sometimes, it’s just plain lonely in a studio alone so it’s nice to have a way to connect!
I’ve just heard of Plaxo and have no idea what that is… guess I best investigate!
I’ll be talking more about how to use these sites to your advantage, but for now, why don’t you join me?
~ Tara
Use the links above or to the right to find me on social sites. Hope to hear from you soon!
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